"The drainage problem causes the field to be very soft," Tull said. "The drainage of the field is the main thing right now."

Over the past few months, War Memorial Stadium has undergone repairs. The stands were the most needed area. Boards were repaired and painted. The clubhouses, concession stands, press box and field also were worked on.

Angle Owens, the chairman of the stadium authority, said War Memorial is in excellent condition. He said he has heard nothing about a drainage problem.

"It's in better shape now than I've known it to be in several years," Owens said. "As of now, we face no major problems. We will continue to upgrade the stadium. It's in very good shape.

"The stands are in excellent shape, and that's the main thing, to make them attractive to the people. But we will keep working, improving as we go along."

Tull said the stadium has received good ratings from the National Association of Professional Baseball Clubs, the governing body of minor league baseball.

"The facility isn't keeping the fans away," Tull said. "The facility was rated playable. It's a good old facility."

Tull said there is little chance, if that, the Pilots will move to a new stadium any time soon. Such a venture would cost Hampton Roads and Newport News taxpayers millions of dollars.

The Frederick Keys, like the Pilots a Carolina League team, will begin play in their new stadium a week from today. It cost $3 million to build.

South Bend's (Ind.) Class AA affiliate of the Chicago White Sox spent $10 million to build its new facility, which includes elevators and underground tunnels from the field to the clubhouse.

"It's a chicken and the egg thing," Tull said. "You have to get support for the team before that. If you don't have support, why waste money for renovations?"

The Pilots, who open their season tonight against Winston-Salem at 7, averaged only 250 fans a game last season.